Sep 22, 2010

Retailers may increase holiday hiring this yearBy Michael SassoTBO.com

Tampa, FL – It’s only September, but already stores are making plans to staff up to serve the holiday crowds.

The good news is one national employment firm said retailers will hire more people this year, because sales were up over the summer. The bad news is mall managers in the Tampa Bay area haven’t seen much pickup in hiring so far.

Retail stores nationwide are expected to add 500,000 to 600,000 seasonal workers from October through December, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a Chicago firm that helps companies find work for their employees when downsizing.

That would be good news for job seekers. Last year, retailers just barely crossed the half-million mark, adding 501,400 workers from October through December.

Retailers might be encouraged to hire more because of stronger sales recently, said John Challenger, chief executive of the job placement company.

Retail sales rose by 0.3 percent in July and 0.4 percent in August.

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